Racing: Gelding inflicts defeat on Empire

For once there will be no immense syndication deal involving the Kentucky Derby victor. Funny Cide, the winner of the 129th Run For The Roses at Churchill Downs on Saturday, was the first gelding to win the race since 1929.

Also emasculated was the huge reputation of the short-priced favourite, Empire Maker, who was defeated by three-quarters of a length. Third was his stablemate in Bobby Frankel's barn, Peace Rules.

Funny Cide was ridden by Jose Santos and is trained by Barclay Tagg, who is primarily a jumps trainer. "So many things go wrong in this game, but when it comes down to this it's a blessing," he said. "Jose and I liked him very much from the word go and in his career he's proved little by little to me that we should keep on the trail of the Kentucky Derby." A massive crowd of 148,500 watched the race at Churchill Downs.